The court’s oral observations came during hearing of pleas challenging the government’s recent order to private unaided schools to admit children in nursery using the neighbourhood norm.

delhiUpdated: Jan 30, 2017 23:00 IST

HT Correspondent

Hindustan Times

The court’s oral observations came during hearing of pleas challenging the government’s recent order to private unaided schools to admit children in nursery using the neighbourhood norm. ( )

The Delhi high court on Monday asked the city government if geographical mapping of the number of schools in a given area was done before directing private schools to admit kids in nursery on the basis of neighbourhood criteria.

Justice Manmohan asked, “Did you (Delhi government’s education department) conduct a survey mapping of the number of schools in a locality before coming out with this (neighbourhood norm) order?”

“By this (neighbourhood) formula, you have entirely taken away the right of private schools here,” the court said, noting that “unless you do not give them autonomy to frame their own rules, they will not come up with more investment”.

The court said instead of taking away the autonomy of the private schools, public schools should be improved so that the parents only opt for these in the future.